When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

Thursday, July 3, 2014

The Top Five Parties in San Francisco This Weekend

There's nothing like a long weekend right? It's the Fourth of July, and that means it's time for BBQing, celebrating America, and, well, partying. We assume you already have the first two covered so let us help you out with this handy guide to all that's good in nightlife: We've got disco, we've got techno, we've got house, and we've even got a free party at Public Works. How's that for freedom? Read on -- your weekend awaits.

As any red blooded American knows, the Fourth of July is about celebrating freedom. And what's a better way to celebrate that most cherished of American values than with a free party? This Saturday, Skyystream (yes, the vodka company with the creepy lady robot mascot) and internet TV show Boiler Room are teaming up for a gratis event at Public Works with Honey Soundsystem and disco-laced DJ duo Cosmic Kids. It promises to help freedom ring not only on the Fourth of July, but on the Fifth and Sixth as well.

Top billing for the evening goes to Cosmic Kids. Comprised of DJs Ron Poznansky and Daniel Terndrup, they're a California-based duo specializing in a heady blend of spaced-out disco, retro house, and slowed down '80s Balearica. This mixture was particularly evident on their breakout 2011 track "Reginald's Groove," which floated dubbed-out and elastic old-school house stabs over a percolating '80s synth arpeggios and heavy disco percussion. It was something of an anthem for that year, and set the tone for later material on New York labels Let's Play House and Throne of Blood that took a similarly retro-hued direction.

Cosmic Kids' most recent music, however, has been more laid-back. "Freight to My Soul," released on White Label imprint Chit Chat last year, was a muted late-night affair that drifted off into a spacey and summery euphoric haze. The duo has covered a lot of ground, and that's particularly evident in its DJ sets: They're broad in scope and reflect the variety of '80s and '90s (as well as contemporary) influences beneath their productions.

On their own, Cosmic Kids would be quite a draw. But this party has an extra level of panache thanks to Honey Soundsystem's Jason Kendig, Jackie House, and Robot Hustle, who will be sharing DJ duties with Cosmic Kids throughout the night. Though Honey began in 2006 as a disco outfit, its sound has evolved into something more rugged and contemporary -- nowadays you can find Honey DJs dropping bleeding-edge house cuts at clubs around the world (Kendig just got back from a set at the legendary Panorama Bar in Berlin). And, as is always the case with Honey-affiliated parties, expect a level of immersive decor far beyond the norm.

Combine the two groups and you have the makings of quite a night out. However, we ought to caution: It's only free if you RSVP on Ticketfly beforehand.

At the center of the contemporary techno universe sits Berghain, the Berlin club famous for its weekend-long parties, hedonistic atmosphere, and fantastically curated music. Its sound is generally considered the apex of hardcore purist's techno, and Marcel Fengler -- a resident DJ since Day 1 -- is no exception. Fengler blends booming machine rhythms with hypnotic melodic loops that transport both mind and body to far-off worlds.

Who has the best collection of disco records in San Francisco? It's a contentious question, but the odds are in James Glass' favor. Though he doesn't play out often, his sets are characterized by absurdly rare jams deftly mixed with old favorites that span the full gamut of the genre. Expect rare, synthesized Italian disco cuts, New York classics, and a sprinkling of rare home-brewed edits.

Sometimes one night of disco just isn't enough. Dimitri from Paris is a French DJ whose passion for the genre has been proven over the years through his voluminous output of remixes, edits, and compilations (like the fantastic Kings of Disco). As a selector, he's revered for sets that approach the technical proficiency of the '70s New York masters, but add a modern touch.

The End Up is the only club in San Francisco that can legally provide a weekend-long nonstop party experience. Normally, the music isn't the main draw. But that changes at Play, a monthly party that uses the space for more adventurous artists. This weekend's edition features Jay Tripwire, a Canadian DJ whose trippy, late-night tech house sound is the perfect complement to a morning spent wondering when the sun came up.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"